Veterinary Record Open

INTRODUCTION: In veterinary education, reflection and reflective portfolio learning aim to enhance professional development. Although reflection and reflective portfolio learning are widely used in teaching and healthcare, their demonstrable impact on veterinary education is unclear. Although the benefits are uncertain, reflection may provide potential for self-development and help to prepare students for clinical practice. The aim of this work was to review research into reflective practice and reflective portfolio learning, to find evidence for its use in teaching, to confirm how it is best implemented to optimise professional development and to identify gaps for future research...

BACKGROUND: In order to improve antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), including changes in antimicrobial prescribing and use, an enhanced understanding is needed of the barriers that veterinary surgeons (vets) encounter to institute such change. METHODS: A qualitative approach, using grounded theory, was followed. Interviews and discussion groups, with vets and farm industry stakeholders in Northern Ireland (NI), were undertaken to identify and explore attitudes and behaviours surrounding AMS, with a particular emphasis on the barriers vets encountered and the context within which they were working...

BACKGROUND: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of canine inherited retinal disorders affecting up to 100 breeds. Genetic tests are available. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the genetic variants associated with PRA among dogs residing in Italy. METHODS: Genetic data of 20 variants associated with different forms of PRA were collected through DNA tests over a 10-year period for several dog breeds in the Italian canine population. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were calculated...

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, equine health care in the UK may have been adversely affected due to mandated changes in the delivery of veterinary healthcare and the potential for reduced health-seeking behaviour. METHODS: Electronic patient records (EPRs) were analysed to describe veterinary activity for all equids under the active care of 20 veterinary practices in the UK in the 12 months before and after the introduction of the first UK lockdown. Pre-pandemic and pandemic levels of clinical activity were compared...

BACKGROUND: Management of pain is critical to improve the welfare of farmed livestock and meet consumer expectations. There is limited published information about the use of analgesic drugs in the sheep sector. METHODS: A mixed-method approach was followed. The range of analgesic drugs used on 52 Northern Irish sheep farms was determined through analysis of medicine purchase records. Through interview and discussion groups, with both farmer and veterinarian participants, attitudes towards the use and adoption of such medicines were explored...

BACKGROUND: Non-human animals are natural hosts for the virus causing COVID-19 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) and a diversity of species appear susceptible to infection. Cats are of particular concern because of their close affiliation with humans and susceptibility to infection. Cats also harbour feline enteric coronavirus (FECV). Our objectives were to document the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and FECV in feline populations with high turnover and movement among households in the Central Valley of California, USA...

INTRODUCTION: Dog bites continue to be a serious public health issue due to their association with the transmission of rabies virus. In Kenya, there are no studies estimating dog-bite incidence. Annual mortalities resulting from dog-mediated rabies are estimated at 523 (95% confidence interval 134-1100). The main objective of this study was to assess major risk factors associated with dog bites in Kitui South subcounty, Kenya, between 2017 and 2021. METHODS: We recruited 387 dog-bite patients (cases) and 387 non-bite patients (controls) for the case-control study from the Mutomo Mission Hospital and the Ikutha Level 4 Hospital records...

BACKGROUND: Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland has been enrolling dairy herds across Northern Ireland (NI) in a voluntary Johne's disease (JD) control programme since October 2020. A Veterinary Risk Assessment and Management Plan (VRAMP) questionnaire was completed for each herd enrolled and recommendations for improved farm management practices were provided to farmers. Herd JD testing was recommended but was not mandatory. METHODS: This study analysed VRAMP responses for 1569 dairy herds that had enrolled in the JD control programme up to October 2022...

AIMS: This retrospective study aimed to report clinical findings, treatment response and survival in cats diagnosed with precursor-targeted immune-mediated anaemia (PIMA) in a referral hospital in the UK. METHODS: Feline cases diagnosed with presumed PIMA between January 2010 and February 2021 were retrospectively recruited. Signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic tests, treatment and outcome were recorded. Descriptive analytics were performed. Outcomes were documented according to survival to discharge, 30-day survival, total survival time, response to immunosuppressive treatment and frequency of relapses...

BACKGROUND: Tail inspection in the abattoir is a tool to help determine the welfare status of pigs. However, methodologies vary widely. Moreover, meat inspection is moving from palpation and incision towards visual-only (VIS) examination. This study investigated whether a VIS examination was sufficient to detect tail damage compared to handling (HAND), which ensures examination of all aspects of the tail. METHOD: The severity of tail skin damage (0 [undamaged] - 4 [partial/full loss of tail]) and presence/absence of bruises was scored using both methods after scalding/dehairing of 5498 pig carcasses...

OBJECTIVES: Distinguishing bacterial cystitis from subclinical bacteriuria is necessary for feline treatment protocols and antimicrobial stewardship. This can be challenging in cats with subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) systems because they may present with lower urinary tract signs without bacteriuria. We investigated the relationship between positive urine culture and lower urinary tract signs in cats with SUBs, including factors associated with each. METHODS: Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify cats presenting with ureteral obstruction that underwent placement of a SUB device(s)...

BACKGROUND: Biosecurity is important in preventing the spread of infectious diseases in animal production. Previous studies have identified a disparity between the biosecurity recommendations provided by veterinarians and the actual practices implemented by farmers. This study compared group discussions with a few key actors among Swedish pig veterinarians and farmers on pig farm biosecurity. METHODS: Two focus group discussions were conducted, one with five Swedish pig veterinarians and one with three pig farmers, to explore their views on pig farm biosecurity and efficient biosecurity measures...

INTRODUCTION: In the Netherlands, the veterinary disciplinary system is governmentally executed and was originally designed to provide an educational effect on veterinarians as part of maintaining quality standards. METHODS: Over 900 veterinarians were questioned (20% of the total number of veterinarians working in veterinary medicine in the Netherlands). It was ascertained whether or not they were aware of the disciplinary system, if it affected their way of working and what impact it had on their way of working after having faced a disciplinary case...

BACKGROUND: There is limited published information to guide the clinical management of bacterial meningitis/encephalitis in dogs. METHODS: This was a retrospective case series comprising 10 French bulldogs from two referral centres. The cases were diagnosed with bacterial meningitis/encephalitis suspected secondary to otogenic infection based on detection of abnormal fluid/soft tissue opacity within the middle/inner ear, associated meningeal/intracranial involvement through MRI, the findings of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) analysis suggestive of sepsis and/or clinical improvement following antibiosis...

BACKGROUND: Connections between the effects of pet ownership and exercise on mental health have previously been demonstrated in different populations. However, little is known about the potential effects of pet ownership and exercise on the mental health of veterinary professionals. Since these individuals have a high prevalence of poor mental health and suicide, while they deal with pets professionally, we investigated the impact of pet ownership, exercise and different types of pet ownership on this demographic group...

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusions (TL-IVDEs) are a common spinal disorder in dogs, especially within chondrodystrophic breeds. Loss of deep pain perception is a well-documented negative prognostic indicator in dogs with TL-IVDE. The objectives of this study were to report the rate of return of deep pain perception and independent ambulation in surgically treated, paraplegic, deep pain perception negative French bulldogs with TL-IVDEs. METHODS: A retrospective case series of deep pain perception negative dogs with TL-IVDE presenting to two referral centres between 2015 and 2020 was conducted...

BACKGROUND: Mushroom poisoning may result in a variety of signs ranging from mild, mostly gastroenteritis, to organ failure and death. To increase the knowledge of prevalence, treatment and outcome in dogs, information regarding mushroom ingestion was collected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analysed all inquiries of mushroom ingestion in dogs to the Norwegian Poison Information Center from 2011 to 2022. Mushrooms were identified by a mycologist or Norwegian-certified mushroom expert...

BACKGROUND: Intussusception is a form of ileus of the intestines in which an oral intestinal segment slides into the adjacent aboral intestinal segment, causing obstruction of the bowel. METHODS: We analysed the medical records of 126 cattle with intussusception of the small intestine. RESULTS: Demeanour and appetite were abnormal in 123 cattle. Non-specific signs of pain occurred in 26.2%, signs of visceral pain in 46.8% and signs of parietal pain in 56...

BACKGROUND: The aims of this retrospective study were to estimate interobserver agreement in detecting disc calcification with computed tomography (CT) and to compare the number of calcified intervertebral discs identified on CT and radiography in healthy British Dachshund dogs that underwent a screening programme. The current screening programme uses radiography to identify calcified intervertebral discs. METHODS: Healthy Dachshunds aged between 2 and 5 years presenting for spinal radiography and CT as part of a disc scoring scheme were included...

BACKGROUND: Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained increasing importance to monitor equine tendon lesions. Comparing results between studies and cases is hampered, because image analysis approaches vary strongly. This study aimed to improve reliability, comparability and time efficiency of quantitative MRI image analysis. METHODS: Induced tendon lesions were studied over a 24-week period with 10 follow-up MRI examinations. Signal intensities (SIs) of tendons, tendon lesions, cortical bone and background, as well as lesion cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured...